Welcome to the first 2008 installment of our exclusive weekly player hot and cold feature. I can’t remember how many seasons I’ve been doing this, but it has been a long time. I recommend you use the information in this column like I do to identify players who might be worth picking up this week, as well as ones to consider benching or moving, perhaps.

Consider this the ultimate in short-term gratification. We’re not looking at histories of contact rates or command or anything other than what has occurred over the last week in the ten standard fantasy scoring categories, whether good or bad.

I will be calling out names that may have eluded your notice that either could still be available on your waiver wire in a mixed league or perhaps stashed on someone’s bench in an AL or NL-only league. I will pick anyone who is on ice, as that information can help guide your line-up selection choices.

Fire

Catcher
A.J. Pierzynski, CWS
.529 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 4 R
Historically, April has been the catcher’s worst month in terms of power and run production. You’d could never tell that from A.J.’s initial 2008 statistics, however. 

First Base
Kevin Millar, Bal
.417 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
Like anyone from the O's who isn’t named Roberts or Markakis, the former Red Sox player was on very, very few fantasy wish lists coming into the season. Millar certainly won’t keep this up, but enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Second Base
Marco Scutaro, Tor
.273 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3 SB, 2 R
Assured of a regular gig while backing up the Blue Jays’ injury-prone third baseman Scott Rolen, the former Oakland A’s infielder swiped three bases last week. Don’t look for it to continue as Scutaro had only 14 career stolen bases in 1450 at-bats prior to last week’s outburst. He does have eligibility in many leagues at second, short, third and the outfield.

Shortstop
Jeff Keppinger, Cin
.429 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 3 R
I don’t care if Dusty Baker really favors veterans over younger players or not. If his fill-in at short continues to hit like this, Alex Gonzalez may not see the starting lineup every single day upon his return from the disabled list.

Third Base
Blake DeWitt, LAD
.417 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB, 3 R
The Dodgers’ fourth or fifth option at the hot corner this spring, the rookie was in the right place at the right time as those in front of him went down with injuries. There is no assurance DeWitt will remain too long, but continuing to hit will surely make it difficult for the Dodgers’ brass to dispatch him.

Outfield
Carlos Gomez, Min
.450 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4 SB, 4 R
It is probably far too late to pick up the best player who traveled the other way in the Johan Santana deal. If you moved quickly, you are to be commended, as Gomez would have to be the first-week leader in the American League Rookie of the Year race.

Cliff Floyd, TB
.364 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 4 R
Sure, he has a lot of miles, a long list of injuries and many different caps in his closet. Yet, the reality is that when Floyd is healthy, he is a dangerous hitter.

Scott Hairston, SD
.368 BA, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 4 R
In the short time of spring training, the former Diamondback went from fighting for the last outfield spot to being a sure starter. Playing behind old and brittle players like Jim Edmonds and Brian Giles assures Hairston of securing plenty of at-bats all season long. 

Starters
Johnny Cueto, Cin
1 W, 7 IP, 1.29 ERA, 0.14 WHIP, 10 K
Because it is his initial MLB action, Yahoo league owners were in an uproar over the fact that Cueto did not appear as available in their games until this past Saturday. Early birds had to hope they had waiver priority for the week one leader of the NL Rookie of the Year race.

Micah Owings, Ari
1 W, 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 9 K
Youth, lotsa strikeouts, a winning team behind him, no pressure with two aces in the rotation. What is there about Owings’ situation not to like? A big season seems on the horizon.  

Joe Saunders, LAA
1 W, 8 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 4 K
With all the injured arms in Anaheim, some experienced hands need to step forward. Why couldn’t it be Saunders, just starting his third year and with barely 100 innings in his busiest season to date?
      
Reliever
George Sherrill, Bal
2 SV, 0 BS, 0-0 W-L, 1.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 2 K
So far, so good for the Orioles’ new closer. Many owners who bought (relatively) low are keeping their fingers crossed. 

Ice

Catcher
Kenji Johjima, Sea
.154 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
After a decline in most statistical areas during his second season as a major leaguer, fantasy players will be watching the former Japanese League star very closely this season.

First Base
Justin Morneau, Min
.063 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
Oddly, the 2006 American League Most Valuable Player was also parked right here to end the 2007 season. Consider the rough start to be nothing more than a streak by a very talented player.  

Second Base
Robinson Cano, NYY
.067 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
Yes, he wears the pinstripes. But, yes Cano is also 1-for-15 on the young season, good for an unimpressive .167/.167/.167 line. It shouldn’t be lasting as it is early in the season…
 
Shortstop
J.J. Hardy, Mil
.059 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Lots of good words were coming out of Brewers camp this spring about both their shortstop and second baseman. It didn’t carry over into the regular season for this career .260 hitter. Keep expectations reasonably low to avoid disappointment.

Third Base
Mike Lowell, Bos
.200 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
This line reminds me of Lowell’s lost 2005 season, a time during which the Marlins had to beg other clubs to consider taking Lowell and his salary off their hands. Those days are gone forever. He’s better known for fast starts and career-bests in batting average (.324) and RBIs (120) last season.

Outfield
Matt Holliday, Col
.071 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
The best player on the defending National League champions is struggling like his club in the very early going in 2008. Too bad the season is so young that you couldn’t snag him in a trade with a panicking opposing manager.

Adam Dunn, Cin
.091 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
On the positive side, Dunn made the most of his single hit in the opening week. While his .248 career average is Dunn’s fantasy Achilles heel, no one is expecting just one hit per week.

Magglio Ordonez, Det
.235 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 R
Maggs isn’t getting many opportunities or doing much with them. Same for his team, with four losses, including three straight to Kansas City. With Gary Sheffield out, the pressure will increase. He’ll likely meet the challenge.

Starters
C.C. Sabathia, Cle
0 W, 5.1 IP, 8.44 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 7 K
With no two-start pitchers this past week, I wouldn’t be too concerned about a single outing. Sabathia is still going to break the bank following this season as a free agent.  

Roy Oswalt, Hou
0 W, 5.1 IP, 5.06 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, 6 K
Oswalt is going to have a hard time getting wins this season, as his teammates are none too strong, especially his bullpen. It must have seemed a lifetime ago when Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte were in the rotation with him. 

Javier Vazquez, CWS
0 W, 5 IP, 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 6 K
Too many walks and hits allowed in Vazquez’ first outing, against Cleveland. Still, he is coming off his best season in 2007. Anything close this time would be great for his owners.

Reliever 
Trevor Hoffman, SD
2 SV, 1 BS, 0-1, 2.2 IP, 13.50 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, 2 K
The numbers look bad and the whispers of the NL’s top closer being over the hill have returned. In reality, Hoffman had just one bad outing in three. I bet he’s over it and so should you.

Brian Walton’s work can also be found daily at stlcardinals.scout.com.